Emil G. Berg
Nominee: Emil G. Berg
Nominated by: Paula Degenhart
Emil G. Berg, my grandfather, came to the United States in 1894 at the age
of 15. He started is career as an apprentice tool maker in the New England area
and moved to Erie in 1934 to work at American Sterilizer Company on an invention
of his for refrigeration in hospitals. He also invented the first refrigerator
called the Iceberg. One or two years later General Electric Company invented
their own refrigerator and had the marketing capabilities to see it through. He
also invented the first working room air conditioning unit, but again was unable
to market it. His last project was the Berg-Johnson electric razor, which was
marketed at the Coleman razor. Many were sold in this area and my grandfather
was to go to New York City for marketing when he was killed in an auto accident
in 1950.My wish for my submitting my grandfather is that he be recognized for
his strength and courage in coming to a new world, learning a new language,
raising a family with my grandmother (another Swede who came here at the age of
16), and having so many wonderful and useful inventions. I have several
newspaper articles concerning my grandfather if they are needed to substantiate
this article.BACK | |
